HUGE Binge Episode; Support/Motivation?
PorcelainDissonance
Posts: 10
For 17 years, I was a born n' raised binge eater. I grew up in a home that scolded me for not finishing everything on my plate, encouraged 4th, 5th and even 6th helpings of food, while only really consuming pure crap. Sugary poptarts, pizza, 'Chinese food', Subway, and huge tubs of ice cream were always the norm in my house. When I was 17, I worked hard to stop binge eating, which I have mostly been successful at. I do still struggle with healthy moderation, but I try.
2 days ago was the worst binge, I have ever had. On the night of the 16th, I ate over 2000 calories over the course of 30 minutes. My unbearable anxiety over weighing myself combined with my stress and sleeping pills in my system just kickstarted a huge binge. I was upset that I had weighed in at 4 pounds heavier than my last weigh in, so I binged. I binged on chocolate raisins, fruit strips, rice soup bowls and cans of chili. Now, all the food I binged on was healthy, organic, gluten free and vegan, but I stilled binged none the less. By the end of the day, (actually, over the course of a few hours) i consumed upwards of 7,000 calories. I woke up yesterday obviously very sick, yet kept binge eating. I ate mozzarella sticks, boxes of candy, and even a few foods containing gluten (which is why I think I ended up vomiting everything up yesterday). I made the severe mistake of weighing myself yesterday, which led to me finding that I've gained 9.2 pounds, over the course of my 2 day binge.
As of right now I've only had some ginger tea and fresh water, but I woke up 20 minutes ago. I should be at work then getting ready for class (as I missed my classes yesterday), but quite frankly, i can't. After the commotion of my mentality yesterday, the knowledge of my weight gain and everything else going on, I cannot make it to class today. I'm just going to email my teachers, telling them I have a stomach bug/upset stomach.
I know that a pound or two of my weight gain was due to water retention and another pound or two must be due to the food still sitting within my system. I don't plan on weighing myself until February 2nd (as I normally only weigh myself 2 times a month, on the 2nd and 20th), but I honestly don't know what else to do. I'm scared that today will be another day of binge eating, because once I eat one food, quite frankly I eat them all.
I know plenty about the psychology behind binge eating, and about healthy nutrition, so please don't lecture me, or provide me with annoying unwarranted advice. As of right now, all I need is some support and encouragement to get back on track, with everything.
2 days ago was the worst binge, I have ever had. On the night of the 16th, I ate over 2000 calories over the course of 30 minutes. My unbearable anxiety over weighing myself combined with my stress and sleeping pills in my system just kickstarted a huge binge. I was upset that I had weighed in at 4 pounds heavier than my last weigh in, so I binged. I binged on chocolate raisins, fruit strips, rice soup bowls and cans of chili. Now, all the food I binged on was healthy, organic, gluten free and vegan, but I stilled binged none the less. By the end of the day, (actually, over the course of a few hours) i consumed upwards of 7,000 calories. I woke up yesterday obviously very sick, yet kept binge eating. I ate mozzarella sticks, boxes of candy, and even a few foods containing gluten (which is why I think I ended up vomiting everything up yesterday). I made the severe mistake of weighing myself yesterday, which led to me finding that I've gained 9.2 pounds, over the course of my 2 day binge.
As of right now I've only had some ginger tea and fresh water, but I woke up 20 minutes ago. I should be at work then getting ready for class (as I missed my classes yesterday), but quite frankly, i can't. After the commotion of my mentality yesterday, the knowledge of my weight gain and everything else going on, I cannot make it to class today. I'm just going to email my teachers, telling them I have a stomach bug/upset stomach.
I know that a pound or two of my weight gain was due to water retention and another pound or two must be due to the food still sitting within my system. I don't plan on weighing myself until February 2nd (as I normally only weigh myself 2 times a month, on the 2nd and 20th), but I honestly don't know what else to do. I'm scared that today will be another day of binge eating, because once I eat one food, quite frankly I eat them all.
I know plenty about the psychology behind binge eating, and about healthy nutrition, so please don't lecture me, or provide me with annoying unwarranted advice. As of right now, all I need is some support and encouragement to get back on track, with everything.
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Replies
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It's difficult, but I highly recommend you seek professional help for your problem. This seems to be something that is troubling you deeper than just numbers on a scale. But, then again maybe I am just reading atoo much into the post. Best of luck to you and your continued steps toward a healthy lifestyle.0
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Everything's gonna be ok. I have personal experience with binging. Thus why I once weighed 240 pounds. Don't be one of those people that say "well, I ate one french fry, might as well eat the rest of them and two hamburgers, since I'm already "bad"." You're stronger than that, right?
You're not bad, you're human. My advice? (1) Figure out what triggered the binge and fight THAT. Stress from work? Frustration over stalled weight loss results? Hormones from ovulating? (2) even during a binge, record (to the best of your abilities) what you ate.0 -
Eating a correct healthy calorie limit daily will help reduce that binge eating habit.. And your right that 9 lb gain you seen isn't accurate.. Ya know if you don't buy the junk food, there won't be any to binge on. Get back on track it happens.0
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I have ano binge challenge group I will write you a pm and send an invite. anyone else who struggles with this is welcome to join0
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It's all your frame of mind
Today is a NEW day! Forget about yesterday. That was then, this is NOW! So what if you had a bad day...obviously it's a big deal but there is nothing you can do about it now. And starving yourself as punishment is not the answer. Treat today like you would every other day. If your regular intake is 1200, eat 1200 and move on. You can get through this!!! 0 -
I just wanted to let you know that reading this made me cry. I understand... oh I understand so much. It is SO hard to forgive yourself and you know its wrong and you just can't stop. Just can't. No reason. You know its wrong and you can't.
You can go past it. You have to break the cycle. I'm here if you want a friend. Please reach out next time you are stressing and ready to do that. Sometimes you just do it before you can reach out.0 -
I've been there and binged then decided to give in because it was easier than kicking myself out of the downer from binging but trust me you can do this! If your worried about binging again today then drink lots of water, sounds silly as water weight will increase but it will mean you will be too full to snack and the water weight will go down on it's own. Some times you need to cheat your body so your head has time to get itself together. If you ever need some support message me hun.
Kat0 -
reading this reminds me of my own story like the others said if you need a friend I am here for you too.0
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This is how I remotivate myself after a binge:
Step 1: Get up
Step 2: Take a shower
Step 3: Get dressed in whatever is appropriate for the activities of the day
Step 4: Get out of the house (edit: Dorm room in your case) and go do SOMETHING (even it it's just going for a walk around the mall or a leisurely stroll at a local park)
Step 5: Stop telling yourself that you are going to fail. Take responsibility for the bad choices you made yesterday, own it, move on, then believe you will do better today.
Edit to add: Step 6: Repeat steps 1-5 daily.0 -
Eating a correct healthy calorie limit daily will help reduce that binge eating habit.. And your right that 9 lb gain you seen isn't accurate.. Ya know if you don't buy the junk food, there won't be any to binge on. Get back on track it happens.
Like I said in my post, I know about how to prevent binge eating. I know eating a healthy amount decreases the likelihood of a binge. Thank you for the reassurance with the weight gain.
I ONLY keep healthy, gluten free, organic and vegan foods in my dorm room. However, if you have any experience with binge eating, you will know that when it comes down to it, an intense binge episode is more about consumption, than what you are consuming. It doesn't matter how healthy you are eating, and what matters is the sheer act of over-consumption.I've had days where I've binged on fruits, veggies, grains, and crackers. The food was all healthy and not junk food, but it doesn't stop the binge episode only having healthy food. You seem to be possibly consuming a mere indulgence with binge eating.
I live in a dorm room. So, while I keep only healthy foods in my dorm room, there are numerous vending machines in my building, and there are a large amount within a .25 mile radius. So keeping only healthy food in my room doesn't always work. I try to take preventive measures, but they are not foolproof, given my location during the school year.
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There are a lot of us here who suffer with these problems. You are definitely not alone. The hardest part is the next day after a binge. I find that sometimes for me it does take 2 days before I've gotten it completely out of my system. I'm sure you know this, but then the next hard part is the week after, when you still look and feel bloated but youv'e been eating well and not seeing any changes from clean eating. usually takes me up to a week to look ok again. so it's this cycle where you don't want to overdo it but you end up doing just that because you feel so bad about the binge. weighing can be a huge trigger for me too. i see a number i don't like and i think "well i've gained, so whatever" and it makes me actually go back into it. i tried weighing every month right after my period and that worked a little. i'm back to weekly weighing to try to understand that there are physical changes women's bodies go through each month and to see that natural fluctuations are normal. but it's still hard seeing a higher number. no one wants to face that. like i said, a lot of us on here have periodic binge issues. otherwise, we probably wouldn't have needed to lose weight in the first place, right... just know you have support0
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I also have personal experience with binges. It did not stop overnight but these are a few things that helped :
- Trying to "plan" the binges. If you feel a binge coming, go and buy some food you really love - lots of it - and binge on it. At least you enjoy the food and I find it helps regain *some* control on what you eat. The feeling of "uncontrollability" during a binge is terrifying.
- Go outside. Even for a 5-minute walk. Even to read a book on a bench somewhere.
- After a binge, having a long shower and taking care of my appearance (nails trimmed, body hair waxed, etc.) helped me feel less disgusting and somehow "cleansed" me, allowing me to draw a line under the binge.
Good luck.0 -
For 17 years, I was a born n' raised binge eater. I grew up in a home that scolded me for not finishing everything on my plate, encouraged 4th, 5th and even 6th helpings of food, while only really consuming pure crap. Sugary poptarts, pizza, 'Chinese food', Subway, and huge tubs of ice cream were always the norm in my house. When I was 17, I worked hard to stop binge eating, which I have mostly been successful at. I do still struggle with healthy moderation, but I try.
2 days ago was the worst binge, I have ever had. On the night of the 16th, I ate over 2000 calories over the course of 30 minutes. My unbearable anxiety over weighing myself combined with my stress and sleeping pills in my system just kickstarted a huge binge. I was upset that I had weighed in at 4 pounds heavier than my last weigh in, so I binged. I binged on chocolate raisins, fruit strips, rice soup bowls and cans of chili. Now, all the food I binged on was healthy, organic, gluten free and vegan, but I stilled binged none the less. By the end of the day, (actually, over the course of a few hours) i consumed upwards of 7,000 calories. I woke up yesterday obviously very sick, yet kept binge eating. I ate mozzarella sticks, boxes of candy, and even a few foods containing gluten (which is why I think I ended up vomiting everything up yesterday). I made the severe mistake of weighing myself yesterday, which led to me finding that I've gained 9.2 pounds, over the course of my 2 day binge.
As of right now I've only had some ginger tea and fresh water, but I woke up 20 minutes ago. I should be at work then getting ready for class (as I missed my classes yesterday), but quite frankly, i can't. After the commotion of my mentality yesterday, the knowledge of my weight gain and everything else going on, I cannot make it to class today. I'm just going to email my teachers, telling them I have a stomach bug/upset stomach.
I know that a pound or two of my weight gain was due to water retention and another pound or two must be due to the food still sitting within my system. I don't plan on weighing myself until February 2nd (as I normally only weigh myself 2 times a month, on the 2nd and 20th), but I honestly don't know what else to do. I'm scared that today will be another day of binge eating, because once I eat one food, quite frankly I eat them all.
I know plenty about the psychology behind binge eating, and about healthy nutrition, so please don't lecture me, or provide me with annoying unwarranted advice. As of right now, all I need is some support and encouragement to get back on track, with everything.
I understand your desire to not want a lecture or unwarranted advice, but I do suggest you open yourself up to listening to what others who have gone through your situation have experienced. I am not one of those, but I am fairly certain that, until you can identify, embrace, and learn to manage your triggers, you will be on a vicious repeat cycle of what just happened to you. I'm certain you feel ashamed, and I'm sorry to hear you have such an internal struggle going on right now. But, you can't fix what you don't acknowledge. Embrace your mistake, analyze why it occurred and find the strength to change it, whether you do it alone, or with the support of friends or a therapist. You have to make a conscious decision to change. Good luck, I imagine your pain, humiliation and fear must be overwhelming.0 -
baby. i have the same problem. the worst thing is, i've been so good since september (had like 10-15 binges altogether) and i don't know what happened, since beginning of January I had 7 0
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Eating a correct healthy calorie limit daily will help reduce that binge eating habit.. And your right that 9 lb gain you seen isn't accurate.. Ya know if you don't buy the junk food, there won't be any to binge on. Get back on track it happens.
Like I said in my post, I know about how to prevent binge eating. I know eating a healthy amount decreases the likelihood of a binge. Thank you for the reassurance with the weight gain.
I ONLY keep healthy, gluten free, organic and vegan foods in my dorm room. However, if you have any experience with binge eating, you will know that when it comes down to it, an intense binge episode is more about consumption, than what you are consuming. It doesn't matter how healthy you are eating, and what matters is the sheer act of over-consumption.I've had days where I've binged on fruits, veggies, grains, and crackers. The food was all healthy and not junk food, but it doesn't stop the binge episode only having healthy food. You seem to be possibly consuming a mere indulgence with binge eating.
I live in a dorm room. So, while I keep only healthy foods in my dorm room, there are numerous vending machines in my building, and there are a large amount within a .25 mile radius. So keeping only healthy food in my room doesn't always work. I try to take preventive measures, but they are not foolproof, given my location during the school year.
absolutely it is all about consumption! sometimes it is just whatever is there. one time i binged on honeycomb cereal! i don't really even like the taste of it normally. sure, trigger foods can sometimes start one, but once it gets going it could be anything. my first step was identifying trigger foods and trigger times of day. i know what they are now and i try to change those patterns.second step is figuring out other things to do with your time when you are emotionally triggered by these things. i am still working on that one! sometimes i still want to turn to food (and do). but if i can reduce binges i feel like i've made progress.0 -
The feeling of "uncontrollability" during a binge is terrifying.
you understand me 0 -
I also have personal experience with binges. It did not stop overnight but these are a few things that helped :
- Trying to "plan" the binges. If you feel a binge coming, go and buy some food you really love - lots of it - and binge on it. At least you enjoy the food and I find it helps regain *some* control on what you eat. The feeling of "uncontrollability" during a binge is terrifying.
- Go outside. Even for a 5-minute walk. Even to read a book on a bench somewhere.
- After a binge, having a long shower and taking care of my appearance (nails trimmed, body hair waxed, etc.) helped me feel less disgusting and somehow "cleansed" me, allowing me to draw a line under the binge.
Good luck.
I wouldn't recommend this technique. Getting it under control and addressing the issues behind binging is a better way to deal with it. Plus, a lot less waste of food.0 -
wanted to also say that most people who have not been through it or have not been through any form of addiction usually do not understand the power of the binge. most people say "oh just don't do that" or "have some willpower" and it makes it very hard! or they will say "well just have one" when i know i can't! we just have to figure out what works for us individually. some people do great with moderation and it helps them not binge to have these things. but for me it does not usually work that way. i know i have a sugar addiction.0
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Bless your heart. Been there ... done that. Sounds like we were raised in the same kind of household. It's ok. Today is a new day. We shake off yesterday and make today the best day ever! I KNOW you can do this. I posted yesterday about a book I have just started reading. It's called "The Hunger Fix." It's written by Pam Peeke MD. It's all about why we binge eat and how to overcome it. I am up to the 4th chapter now and really finding it informing. Take a look. Hopefully it will help people like us to once and for all understand why we binge and how to overcome them. We are beautiful! We DO have worth. I know this because "God doesn't make junk!" :flowerforyou: 0
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I also have personal experience with binges. It did not stop overnight but these are a few things that helped :
- Trying to "plan" the binges. If you feel a binge coming, go and buy some food you really love - lots of it - and binge on it. At least you enjoy the food and I find it helps regain *some* control on what you eat. The feeling of "uncontrollability" during a binge is terrifying.
- Go outside. Even for a 5-minute walk. Even to read a book on a bench somewhere.
- After a binge, having a long shower and taking care of my appearance (nails trimmed, body hair waxed, etc.) helped me feel less disgusting and somehow "cleansed" me, allowing me to draw a line under the binge.
Good luck.
i totally agree! sometimes it is more about the forbidden-ness. you have to figure out what will work best for you. is eating it in a small quantity going to be enough, or have you found it starts the binge? is it going to come on anyway, no matter what you do. i agree wthat we should look at the reasons behind the binges, but sometimes they are really hard to stop, even when we know the reason. i agree with doing somethign else, going outside, doing whatever to get your mind off of it.0 -
It seems like a lot of your issue is guilt and stress because you stumbled in your diet. Realize that weight loss is an ongoing process and everyone is going to stumble occasionally. Learn from this and move on, you will eventually succeed.0
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wanted to also say that most people who have not been through it or have not been through any form of addiction usually do not understand the power of the binge. most people say "oh just don't do that" or "have some willpower" and it makes it very hard! or they will say "well just have one" when i know i can't! we just have to figure out what works for us individually. some people do great with moderation and it helps them not binge to have these things. but for me it does not usually work that way. i know i have a sugar addiction.
Are you saying that just because I'm not, nor ever have been, a binge eater, I cannot understand the psychological issues behind these behaviors? So, because I'm not an alcoholic or a drug user, but my brothers are, I can't understand what they are going through and have no right to offer them advice, either? I disagree. And for the record, as a teacher, I am required to look at others' situations and, if need be, report on them. I have never been abused, but I am trained to recognize abused children, neglected children, at risk children. It is my legal and moral obligation to do so.
I don't understand the pain of binge eating, but I consider myself competent enough to recognize the signs of someone who needs therapeutic help for their (insert issue here). Unless we openly dialogue with others about our problems, be they personal or second-source problems, NOTHING will change. We are each other's support system, whether we're personally going through it or not. That's how I see it.0 -
For 17 years, I was a born n' raised binge eater. I grew up in a home that scolded me for not finishing everything on my plate, encouraged 4th, 5th and even 6th helpings of food, while only really consuming pure crap. Sugary poptarts, pizza, 'Chinese food', Subway, and huge tubs of ice cream were always the norm in my house. When I was 17, I worked hard to stop binge eating, which I have mostly been successful at. I do still struggle with healthy moderation, but I try.
2 days ago was the worst binge, I have ever had. On the night of the 16th, I ate over 2000 calories over the course of 30 minutes. My unbearable anxiety over weighing myself combined with my stress and sleeping pills in my system just kickstarted a huge binge. I was upset that I had weighed in at 4 pounds heavier than my last weigh in, so I binged. I binged on chocolate raisins, fruit strips, rice soup bowls and cans of chili. Now, all the food I binged on was healthy, organic, gluten free and vegan, but I stilled binged none the less. By the end of the day, (actually, over the course of a few hours) i consumed upwards of 7,000 calories. I woke up yesterday obviously very sick, yet kept binge eating. I ate mozzarella sticks, boxes of candy, and even a few foods containing gluten (which is why I think I ended up vomiting everything up yesterday). I made the severe mistake of weighing myself yesterday, which led to me finding that I've gained 9.2 pounds, over the course of my 2 day binge.
As of right now I've only had some ginger tea and fresh water, but I woke up 20 minutes ago. I should be at work then getting ready for class (as I missed my classes yesterday), but quite frankly, i can't. After the commotion of my mentality yesterday, the knowledge of my weight gain and everything else going on, I cannot make it to class today. I'm just going to email my teachers, telling them I have a stomach bug/upset stomach.
I know that a pound or two of my weight gain was due to water retention and another pound or two must be due to the food still sitting within my system. I don't plan on weighing myself until February 2nd (as I normally only weigh myself 2 times a month, on the 2nd and 20th), but I honestly don't know what else to do. I'm scared that today will be another day of binge eating, because once I eat one food, quite frankly I eat them all.
I know plenty about the psychology behind binge eating, and about healthy nutrition, so please don't lecture me, or provide me with annoying unwarranted advice. As of right now, all I need is some support and encouragement to get back on track, with everything.
I understand your desire to not want a lecture or unwarranted advice, but I do suggest you open yourself up to listening to what others who have gone through your situation have experienced. I am not one of those, but I am fairly certain that, until you can identify, embrace, and learn to manage your triggers, you will be on a vicious repeat cycle of what just happened to you. I'm certain you feel ashamed, and I'm sorry to hear you have such an internal struggle going on right now. But, you can't fix what you don't acknowledge. Embrace your mistake, analyze why it occurred and find the strength to change it, whether you do it alone, or with the support of friends or a therapist. You have to make a conscious decision to change. Good luck, I imagine your pain, humiliation and fear must be overwhelming.
I am already in a therapy program to learn how to deal with these sorts of things, which is why I asked for support as opposed to advice. For me it's not a matter of recognizing triggers, because I am more than aware of them. For me, it's about finding enough worth in my existence, to avoid these triggers, and stop being self-destructive via food. Thank you 0 -
I do occasionally binge and it sucks! You have the right idea...you came here for help! Keep reading the responses and look at what you believe will help you. DO NOT let it be the end of what you are accomplishing. You can do this and with all the support you can get here you definitely don't need to do it alone. We are all here!
:flowerforyou:0 -
Take your weakness and use it to help you. Eat a larger than normal deficit for six days(around bmr or slightly under) and have one day a week to just eat. No worries, no guilt, no shame. Been doing this for 3-4 years and it helped me to get into my best shape ever losing almost 70lbs.0
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Obcession and depression are to sions we dont need. Be blessed. It is a blessing to have food but we dont need to obcess about everythng that we are consuming. Sometimes it is easier to walk away and say the serenity prayer. God give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can change, and wisdom to know the difference. Maybe that way you can better see what the problem is and face it and not try to eat your way through it, from it ,or about it. Food is good but it holds no answers.0
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I remember being in college and having my worst years of starve/binge cycles. It was painful to read your post because it is so familiar. I remember being in my dorm late at night, my room mate was out and the cafeteria was not open. Out of lonliness, stress, who knows, i binged on oatmeal. And when i was done with that i ate all my room mates food. I remember feeling so completely out of control, like never before. I am so sorry that this is happening to you. You are not alone in this. I try to think of the situation if my sister had done this...i would never want her to hate herself in the way that i did. In other words, love yourself as much as you love those closest to you. I can understand the feeling of not wanting to eat a thing, for fear that i would binge again. I know you know this, but eating somthing after a binge is the only way to break the cycle. Not eating all day only invites the binge to come back later. Forgive yourself and start anew.0
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wanted to also say that most people who have not been through it or have not been through any form of addiction usually do not understand the power of the binge. most people say "oh just don't do that" or "have some willpower" and it makes it very hard! or they will say "well just have one" when i know i can't! we just have to figure out what works for us individually. some people do great with moderation and it helps them not binge to have these things. but for me it does not usually work that way. i know i have a sugar addiction.
Are you saying that just because I'm not, nor ever have been, a binge eater, I cannot understand the psychological issues behind these behaviors? So, because I'm not an alcoholic or a drug user, but my brothers are, I can't understand what they are going through and have no right to offer them advice, either? I disagree. And for the record, as a teacher, I am required to look at others' situations and, if need be, report on them. I have never been abused, but I am trained to recognize abused children, neglected children, at risk children. It is my legal and moral obligation to do so.
I don't understand the pain of binge eating, but I consider myself competent enough to recognize the signs of someone who needs therapeutic help for their (insert issue here). Unless we openly dialogue with others about our problems, be they personal or second-source problems, NOTHING will change. We are each other's support system, whether we're personally going through it or not. That's how I see it.
I think that all addictions are the same, in the basis of their existence. I believe that we all search for something to take the pain away, and for some addictions/compulsive-anxiety reducing behaviors is what works. Now, that being said, having the same basis does not imply the same experience. Somebody experiencing an addiction to alcohol cannot in any way truly comprehend what it's like, to experience an addiction to food. They can comprehend the overall struggle with addiction, but every maladaptive and destructive coping mechanism (while having the same roots) is still very different.
So, I agree with the original comment, in which you are responding to. I believe that you cannot comprehend the psychological experience, of somebody who is a binge eater, unless you are one. I think that you can read a book or report on binge eating and know the psychological facts, but I do not believe that you can comprehend the experience it's self, without having it.
I STRONGLY disagree with the fact that you feel competent, in determine whether or not somebody needs therapeutic support. While you may be a teacher who is required to report suspected abuse/neglect, you are mandated to report it to somebody who can treat these problems (including determining the appropriate level of care), and you yourself are not required to treat the child, nor are you justified in determining the child's needs. Like you said in your comment, you are trained to recognize the signs, not to give the child your therapeutic opinion, since you are not licensed and trained to do such. Quite frankly, you are not trained in these sorts of things, nor do you have personal experience, so your comments (while appreciated) were quite oppressive in nature. I think its amazing that you feel the moral/ethical responsibility for these children, but you need to realize that overstepping boundaries and attempting to work beyond your competency is going to do more HARM than GOOD, for the children, or those involved in these sorts of situations.
I am actually a trained volunteer, in dealing with domestic violence and sexual assault situations, as well as a pre-medical psychology major. So, I'm trained to deal with DV/SA situations, and I have a pretty hefty knowledge bank about psychology and medicine. However, when I respond to a hospital for a sexual assault, do you see me offering the nurse advice on how to perform the rape kit while I am holding the survivor's hand? Do you see me attempting to do the nurse's job for her, taking the tools from her hands with the justification of having advocacy training and being a pre-med student? No. That is because, even if I have the correct knowledge, I don't have the proper training or licensing. I recognize my boundaries, and I don't attempt to overstep me, knowing it would not only hurt myself, but also the survivor I was working with.
Long story short, you are in no position to be advising people, on anything concerning therapy. You can encourage somebody to see a therapist as a suggestion in leading them in the direction of somebody who can help them, but having no experience and no professional training, you have no justification in suggesting specific levels of care. You can see red flags, but you are not justified in determining whether or not somebody needs therapeutic support. Please, stop over-stepping your boundaries and assuming that you know about these things, when it's obvious that you don't (persona, or professionally).
You are not trained to deal with eating disorders, nor are you speaking from personal experience. While your support is much appreciated, like I mentioned above, it's oppressive in nature when people whom have no personal knowledge or experience with eating disorders/their treatment start making these sorts of claims and assumptions.
Honestly, being a psychology major, it pisses me off when people assume that they have the right, to make suggestions that take years and years of training to become educated about, and licensed to provide. -_-0 -
For 17 years, I was a born n' raised binge eater. I grew up in a home that scolded me for not finishing everything on my plate, encouraged 4th, 5th and even 6th helpings of food, while only really consuming pure crap. Sugary poptarts, pizza, 'Chinese food', Subway, and huge tubs of ice cream were always the norm in my house. When I was 17, I worked hard to stop binge eating, which I have mostly been successful at. I do still struggle with healthy moderation, but I try.
2 days ago was the worst binge, I have ever had. On the night of the 16th, I ate over 2000 calories over the course of 30 minutes. My unbearable anxiety over weighing myself combined with my stress and sleeping pills in my system just kickstarted a huge binge. I was upset that I had weighed in at 4 pounds heavier than my last weigh in, so I binged. I binged on chocolate raisins, fruit strips, rice soup bowls and cans of chili. Now, all the food I binged on was healthy, organic, gluten free and vegan, but I stilled binged none the less. By the end of the day, (actually, over the course of a few hours) i consumed upwards of 7,000 calories. I woke up yesterday obviously very sick, yet kept binge eating. I ate mozzarella sticks, boxes of candy, and even a few foods containing gluten (which is why I think I ended up vomiting everything up yesterday). I made the severe mistake of weighing myself yesterday, which led to me finding that I've gained 9.2 pounds, over the course of my 2 day binge.
As of right now I've only had some ginger tea and fresh water, but I woke up 20 minutes ago. I should be at work then getting ready for class (as I missed my classes yesterday), but quite frankly, i can't. After the commotion of my mentality yesterday, the knowledge of my weight gain and everything else going on, I cannot make it to class today. I'm just going to email my teachers, telling them I have a stomach bug/upset stomach.
I know that a pound or two of my weight gain was due to water retention and another pound or two must be due to the food still sitting within my system. I don't plan on weighing myself until February 2nd (as I normally only weigh myself 2 times a month, on the 2nd and 20th), but I honestly don't know what else to do. I'm scared that today will be another day of binge eating, because once I eat one food, quite frankly I eat them all.
I know plenty about the psychology behind binge eating, and about healthy nutrition, so please don't lecture me, or provide me with annoying unwarranted advice. As of right now, all I need is some support and encouragement to get back on track, with everything.
I understand your desire to not want a lecture or unwarranted advice, but I do suggest you open yourself up to listening to what others who have gone through your situation have experienced. I am not one of those, but I am fairly certain that, until you can identify, embrace, and learn to manage your triggers, you will be on a vicious repeat cycle of what just happened to you. I'm certain you feel ashamed, and I'm sorry to hear you have such an internal struggle going on right now. But, you can't fix what you don't acknowledge. Embrace your mistake, analyze why it occurred and find the strength to change it, whether you do it alone, or with the support of friends or a therapist. You have to make a conscious decision to change. Good luck, I imagine your pain, humiliation and fear must be overwhelming.
I am already in a therapy program to learn how to deal with these sorts of things, which is why I asked for support as opposed to advice. For me it's not a matter of recognizing triggers, because I am more than aware of them. For me, it's about finding enough worth in my existence, to avoid these triggers, and stop being self-destructive via food. Thank you
There's the heartbreaking thing for me right there. We are all beautiful people, and it is sad when I read comments like these. You're beautiful to me!0 -
wanted to also say that most people who have not been through it or have not been through any form of addiction usually do not understand the power of the binge. most people say "oh just don't do that" or "have some willpower" and it makes it very hard! or they will say "well just have one" when i know i can't! we just have to figure out what works for us individually. some people do great with moderation and it helps them not binge to have these things. but for me it does not usually work that way. i know i have a sugar addiction.
Are you saying that just because I'm not, nor ever have been, a binge eater, I cannot understand the psychological issues behind these behaviors? So, because I'm not an alcoholic or a drug user, but my brothers are, I can't understand what they are going through and have no right to offer them advice, either? I disagree. And for the record, as a teacher, I am required to look at others' situations and, if need be, report on them. I have never been abused, but I am trained to recognize abused children, neglected children, at risk children. It is my legal and moral obligation to do so.
I don't understand the pain of binge eating, but I consider myself competent enough to recognize the signs of someone who needs therapeutic help for their (insert issue here). Unless we openly dialogue with others about our problems, be they personal or second-source problems, NOTHING will change. We are each other's support system, whether we're personally going through it or not. That's how I see it.
I think that all addictions are the same, in the basis of their existence. I believe that we all search for something to take the pain away, and for some addictions/compulsive-anxiety reducing behaviors is what works. Now, that being said, having the same basis does not imply the same experience. Somebody experiencing an addiction to alcohol cannot in any way truly comprehend what it's like, to experience an addiction to food. They can comprehend the overall struggle with addiction, but every maladaptive and destructive coping mechanism (while having the same roots) is still very different.
So, I agree with the original comment, in which you are responding to. I believe that you cannot comprehend the psychological experience, of somebody who is a binge eater, unless you are one. I think that you can read a book or report on binge eating and know the psychological facts, but I do not believe that you can comprehend the experience it's self, without having it.
I STRONGLY disagree with the fact that you feel competent, in determine whether or not somebody needs therapeutic support. While you may be a teacher who is required to report suspected abuse/neglect, you are mandated to report it to somebody who can treat these problems, and you yourself are not required to treat the child. Like you said in your comment, you are trained to recognize the signs, not to give the child your therapeutic opinion, since you are not licensed and trained to do such. Quite frankly, you are not trained in these sorts of things, nor do you have personal experience, so your comments (while appreciated) were quite oppressive in nature.
I am actually a trained volunteer, in dealing with domestic violence and sexual assault situations, as well as a pre-medical psychology major. So, I'm trained to deal with DV/SA situations, and I have a pretty hefty knowledge bank about psychology and medicine. However, when I respond to a hospital for a sexual assault, do you see me offering the nurse advice on how to perform the rape kit while I am holding the survivor's hand? Do you see me attempting to do the nurse's job for her, taking the tools from her hands with the justification of having advocacy training and being a pre-med student? No. That is because, even if I have the correct knowledge, I don't have the proper training or licensing.
Long story short, you are in no position to be advising people, on anything concerning therapy. You can encourage somebody to see a therapist as a suggestion in leading them in the direction of somebody who can help them, but having no experience and no professional training, you have no justification in saying such things. You can see red flags, but you are not justified in determining whether or not somebody needs therapeutic support. Please, stop over-stepping your boundaries and assuming that you know about these things, when it's obvious that you don't (persona, or professionally).
You are not trained to deal with eating disorders, nor are you speaking from personal experience. While your support is much appreciated, like I mentioned above, it's oppressive in nature when people whom have no personal knowledge or experience with eating disorders/their treatment start making these sorts of claims and assumptions.
I never said I was a therapist. Did I say I was? And regardless of your personal opinion/response, I WILL continue to speak my mind and let people know that they could benefit from professional help. So, thank you for your very curt, very opinionated, almost caustic sounding response. But, it won't change MY attitude or MY desire to help others.0
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